New cabinet in Jordan will swear in Monday after Premiere-designate Ali Abu Ragheb has proposed the composition of his team to King Abdullah II. The ceremony will take place at the Royal Court at around 8 pm local time, according to a senior official.

The source told Albawaba.com that consultations to had dragged on as Abu Ragheb, was supposed to finalize the list of his team by Sunday night and submit it to King Abdullah II.

He said that Mohammad Halaiqa, minister of industry and trade in the outgoing government was offered the planning portfolio Sunday but he turned it down. The source added that the Halaiqa might be assigned for the industry ministry, especially that the king Abdullah has voiced his wish that the minister be on board.

Taleb Rifai’, planning minister in the ongoing ministry was expected to be entrusted with both the information and planning portfolios.

Islamist Abdul Rahim Okour awaited for the Muslim Brotherhood’s agreement to hold the portfolio of the Waqf and Islamic affairs portfolio. The largest opposition group does not allow its members to join a government before obtaining prior consent from the movement’s executive bureau.

However, the source expected Okour to accept the offer regardless of the group’s decision.

Moreover, the source confirmed that Abu Ragheb had insisted that nine Jordanians of Palestinian origin join his team – Albawaba.com